Your Rights After an Uber / Lyft Accident

May 09, 2017
By
Roman & Gaynor

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Rideshare applications such as Uber and Lyft have become an immensely popular
form of transportation. Whether they are being used for a night out, transportation
while on vacation, or for any other reason, these rideshare services have
the same obligation to keep passengers and others on public roadways as
safe as possible. Unfortunately, drivers for these companies are not professional
drivers, and therefore make errors or engage in acts of negligence that
can increase the risks of accidents and preventable injuries.

When an Uber or Lyft causes you accident and you suffer injuries as a result,
you have the right to pursue financial compensation for your damages, which can include expenses associated with medical treatment, replacement
of lost work wages, and your pain and suffering, among others. Due to
the unique issues inherent to the way these companies operate, however,
cases involving Uber and Lyft accidents are not always straightforward.

At Roman & Gaynor, our Clearwater car accident attorneys have extensive
experience representing clients who were hurt in all types of
car wrecks, including those involving Ubers and Lyfts. We know the unique issues
involved in these types of cases, and how to effectively navigate fault,
liability, and coverage issues for the benefit of our clients.

When it comes to Uber and Lyft accidents, you rights are just the same
as any injured party: you have the right to recover compensation by showing
that another party’s negligence more likely than not caused you
harm. However, who can be held liable and how you may be compensated may
vary depending on a few circumstances:

In your own vehicle – If you are involved in an accident caused by an Uber or Lyft driver,
who can be held liable will depend on whether the driver is performing
a trip. Rideshare companies have clauses that establish liability and
coverage in auto accidents. If a driver is transporting a fare when they
cause an accident, there is a $1 million commercial insurance liability
policy. When the app is on but the driver is in between trips, either
the driver’s personal insurance or the company’s contingent
insurance policy may provide coverage for damages. This contingent policy
is lower than the $1 million commercial policy for when there is an active
fare. In cases where the driver has the app turned off, however, the at-fault
driver’s personal insurance will provide coverage to victims they harm.

As a passenger – If you are a passenger in an Uber or Lyft that is involved in
a car accident, you will be covered by the company’s $1 million
liability policy, which includes $1 million in uninsured and underinsured
coverage. This means that even when a collision is not caused by the rideshare
driver, you still have a significant safety net to recover your damages
should the at-fault driver be uninsured or underinsured.

It is your right to work with an attorney who has the experience and resources
to help navigate liability and coverage issues on your behalf, and who
can guide you through the process of protecting your right to compensation.
Remember, even though you have the right to compensation, you should never
expect to be automatically awarded money. This is because auto insurance
companies, Uber, Lyft, and their commercial insurance insurers are all
businesses that work to make money, not provide payouts to victims. As
such, they commonly prioritize profits ahead of people, fight claims,
and work to minimize payouts as much as possible.

When you enlist the help of proven attorneys such as Mark Roman and Morgan
Gaynor – both of whom are Board Certified Civil Trial Experts by
The Florida Bar – you benefit from a legal team that can effectively
level the playing field between large corporations and injured victims.
Over the years, we have leveraged decades of experience and skill to do
just that, and have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements
for our clients.

If you were recently involved in an Uber / Lyft accident in any way –
as a passenger, pedestrian, or driver of another vehicle – do not
hesitate to bring your case to the attention of our legal team at Roman
& Gaynor. You might be entitled to financial compensation for your
damages. Our lawyers are readily available to review your case free of
charge and explain how we can help. We also make home and hospital visits
if you are unable to come to us.